Refrigerator



Sept, 13, 1932. GORDON 1,876,915

REFRI GERATOR Filed May 14, 1929 2 sheets-sheet 1 I NVEN TOR.

' By okm/e/akaw v A TTORNEYS I 24 @Z .M. I 3

Sept. 13', 1932. s, GORDON I I 1,876,915

REFRIGERATOR Filed May 14, 1929 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ejvwentoi Patented Sept. 13, 1932 PATENT OFFICE mm. eonnon. or ran aocxaway, new

nnrmennarron coaroaarron, or WILMINGTON,

DELAWARE YORK, ASSIGNOR TO INTERNATIONAL DRY DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF REFRIGERATOR Application -flled Kay 14,

This invention relates to improvements in refrigerators.

The invention is particularly applicable for use with a compressed, liquefied, gaseous refrigerant such for example as car on dioxide.

It is the main object of the invention to provide a unit for use in a refrigerator in which the compressed, liquefied refrigerant may be discharged and expanded to form CO snow and to utilize this snow for cooling the refrigerator. I

The invention will be 'fully understood from the following description when considered in connection with the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the cooling unit to be placed in the refrigerator showing its association with a tube of refrigerant.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view thereof.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the 7 same placed in'a refrigerator.

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional viewof the expansion chamber taken substantially on the lines4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of one of the escapement valves.

Referring to the details of the drawings wherein I have shown my invention, the suppl of liquefied refrigerantis normally contamed in a tube or drum 1 provided with a usual valve 2 connected by means of a tube 4 to a coupling 5 positioned adjacent the re frigerator unit '6. An additional valve 8 is arranged between the conduit 4 and the unit 6, the valve 8 bein controlled in any desired manner for provi 1n the introduction of the requisite amount 0 refrigerant into the refrigerator.

The unit 6 is formed with an expansion chamber 10 into which the refrigerant passes from the conduit 4 and valve 8. A discharge nipple 12 is positioned between the valve 8 and the interior of the chamber 10 in order to limit the quantity of refrigerant which may be introduced into the unit. By providing the correct opening in the discharge nozzle 12 the most eflicient operation of the system may be obtained without accurately 1929. Serial -No. 362,898.

force of the incoming liquid up to the plug 12 without causing the escaping vapors to pass thIOligll the main body of the solidified materia s.

The interior of the chamber 10 is lined with a porous material 14 such for example as chamois skin, heavy canvas, muslin or the like, this material opposing the immediate escape of the gases and thus creating a slight pressure serving to increase the snow formlng efliciency of the apparatus. The porous material also prevents the outward passage of the frozen particles of snow from the chamber. It is preferred to use a relatively strong wire gauge 15 encircling the interior of the chamber 10 to support the porous muslin, chamois or the like and to prevent the same. from being forced outwardly through the openin 16.

The walls of the chamber 10 may, as shown, he formed as a cylindrical body swaged. or otherwise secured'in the ends 24 and 25 of the unit. The outer ends of the cylinder 10 are closed by plugs 26 and 27, the latter receiving the introduction valve 8 and discharge nozzle 12. a The plugs 26 and 27 retain the porous lining and metal gauge in place.

A cold chamber 18 entirely surrounds the expansion chamber 10 for receiving the gases escaping through the openings 16. The chamber 18 is closed by means of displaceable closures 20 placed over the openings 21.

The closures normally remain in closed position by their own weight and create an additional light pressure retaining the gases in the chamber 18 until they have performed their work. On the occurrence of any substantial pressure within the chamber 18, one or both of the closures will be displaced to permit the escape of the gases resulting from the evaporation of the refrigerant.

The cold chamber 18 is' preferably surrounded by a brine tank 30 com letely encircling the side walls of the chamber 18. The brine tank 30 serves as a storage for the reduced temperature as will be readily understood. I

The entire unit 6 is supported in a compartment of therefrigerator 32, the valve 8 and tube 4 being positioned at the back of the refrigerator for convenience of assembling the same and to avoid exposing the tubes at the front of the refrigerator, 7

In the operation of the apparatus the valve 8 is operatedzto admit a certain amount of compressed liquefied carbon dioxide. The

material on escaping through the plug 12 ex- I pands under pressure in the chamber 10, the material being converted into 00 snow.

The issuing material passes to the remote end of the chamber 10, the snow graduall filling and becoming packed in the chamber ack toward the plug or nozzle 12. The gases pass outwardly through the openings 16 into the chamber 18where they deposit their reduced temperatureafter which they escape through theescapement valves 20 into the interior of the refrigerator. The CO snow then constitutes a sourceof reduced temperature which gradually evaporates and chills the chamber 18 and brine tank 30. i I

Having now described my invention, 1 claim: I

In a refrigerator for utilizing a compressed,

gaseous refrigerant,a refrigerating unit com- PIlSlIlg' an expansion chamber, a cold chamber surrounding said expansion chamber,

means permitting the escape of gases from said first-named chamber to the second, a displaceable closure for normally preventing the escape of gases from said second chamber and a brine tank surrounding and forming a porgim of the walls of said second-named chamr. Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York his 13th day of May, A. D. 1929.

SAMUEL GORDON. 

